The Common Uses of an Infrared Thermometer

ThermoPro TP30 Digital Infrared Thermometer Gun

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Finding an infrared thermometer takes time and research. The Infrared thermometer uses are many, and while you might buy one for one home improvement project, there are hosts of other ways you can use them around your home. Choosing the best infrared thermometer for your home projects depends on the needs of your home and anything else you could imagine.

You can detect the heat through the wavelengths of energy released in areas where there is greater or lesser heat or radiation. They will be visible because the molecules of the heat signature will be more or less active in different areas of a surface. The hotter the surface is, the more the molecules will be moving.


What is an Infrared Thermometer?

An Infrared Thermometer is a handheld device that can display temperature readout on it after scanning portions of an object or area with the built-in laser. The main use of the infrared thermometer is to read a particular spot on a surface of the wall, ventilation, automobile, or food item.


How Does an Infrared Thermometer Work?

The infrared thermometer has a laser that helps to aim the thermometer at a particular area to measure the temperature of the wall or area. The laser reads the temperature coming off of the wall or area and displays the temperature in units on the device.

The ability to read the temperature of an area remotely is useful when testing the temperature of items or areas that can be extremely hot such as a car engine or a Thanksgiving turkey. While not all types of infrared thermometers work the same, they all have the same basic principle. The infrared thermometer is a point-and-click handheld gun that you can point at a non-organic surface to receive a temperature reading for foods, automotive, or weak spots in your insulation.

An infrared thermometer uses a laser to mark a spot you want to measure for temperature. The laser can help you mark the center of what you want to get the temperature reading for. The laser is a mark for where you want to take a reading through the actual area measured is larger than the laser.

Infrared thermometers are good and accurate when measuring most types of items, but reflective surfaces can make taking a measurement more difficult because it is difficult to read infrared energy. The shinier the surface, the higher the emissive they are. The best way to have accurate readings is to take multiple readings of the same spot and the area surrounding the middle spot.

Infrared thermometer work

As you are taking your readings, you can adjust eh infrared temperature sensitivity as you work to give you the best and most accurate reading. You should consider the manufacturer’s guidelines while you work to make the adjustments correct and to get the most out of your reading. The further away you get away from your target in some handheld infrared temperature guns, the less accurate they become.

While you use your infrared gun, do not look into the laser, and if you measure different types of food, you need to stir the food before you take a measurement. You also might consider the temperature of your infrared thermometer before you take the reading if you are using it in extreme temperatures like a freezer or outdoors in the summer.


What are the Different Kinds of Infrared Thermometers?

There are different kinds of infrared thermometers, and while they will mostly work similarly. Some thermometers work better for some types of situations because of their shape or design.

Spot Infrared Thermometers

A spot infrared thermometer, a pyrometer, looks like a radar gun. You can detect the temperature of a surface and measure it. A spot infrared thermometer makes it easier to measure the temperature of a particular area that is too hard to research or touch.

A spot infrared thermometer is a common tool of HVAC technicians. They will use the thermometer on the ventilation systems in building to spot-check temperatures throughout the system for leaks or weak spots.

The field of view (FOV) of the spot is displayed in a distance-to-spot conversion (D:S). The larger the number, the more accurate the reading you will receive, such as a ration of 50:1 being more accurate than a ratio of 20:1.

Infrared Scanner Systems

The infrared scanner system is a larger system designed with manufacturing plants and conveyors in mind. They scan the item or item on conveyor belts such as sheets of metal or glass after the manufacturing is complete for quality controlled weak spots in the final product.

Infrared Thermal-Imaging Cameras

An infrared thermal imaging camera detects radiation (heat) is a large area, and you receive a two-dimensional image of the area. The cameras require software and hardware for accurate measurements and readings. They display the images display the readings in real-time and, with the help of specially designed software, help present a more in-depth picture of a building or item.


How are Infrared Thermometers Used in Cooking?

Most people do not consider the infrared thermometer a tool for the kitchen, but it can help you not only spot-check your meals but ensure your food remains hot throughout the day. The infrared thermometer can help the buffet at your local restaurant stay at the right temperature through several courses and let you know when it’s too cold or has sat too long.

infrared thermometers used in cooking

The ability to point and hand infrared guns allows you to measure your food while it is cooking to make sure it will not burn or remain undercooked with potentially harmful bacteria. One hundred sixty-five degrees is the ideal temperature for perfectly cooked foods.


What Else Can You Use an Infrared Thermometer for Home?

The infrared thermometer is a handy tool for use all over your home for at-home maintenance to help you stop trouble before it starts.

Automotive repair

One of the main ways an infrared thermometer helps you around the home is when you are tinkering with your car. The inside of an engine is hot, and taking temperature readings around the engine can help you spot the trouble can fix the problem without having to take apart the entire engine first. They are a diagnostic tool to point at any temperature problems you may have.

Look for weak spots in your insulation

Infrared thermometers are a perfect way to find for you to spot where you can lower your heating bills in your home. Where your home has less insulation or holes, you are losing heat or letting it in during the summer. An infrared thermometer shows you the degree of insulation in your walls and will help you see where it is thin or lacking insulation.

Backyard Safety and Fun

Along with working in the kitchen with your Infrared thermometer, you can get the perfect temperature for your steaks and burgers. Improperly cooked meat can cause serious illness, and meat served too rare can leave you and your family very sick.

You can use the thermometer to make sure your home playset is not too hot for your children. Metal slides and chains for swings can quickly become too hot during the summer, and it only takes seconds for your children to receive a contact-burn from sitting or grabbing them. The infrared thermometer can let you know how hot the toys are before you let your children play.


What is the Most Useful Way to use the ThermoPro Infrared Thermometer?

The ThermoPro Infrared Thermometer is a hand-held meter that can help you around your home and garage with spot-testing your insulation, food, and play equipment. The ThermoPro Infrared Thermometer is accurate up to 1.5 percent with a distance ratio of 12:1 for response time and reading, which is good for measuring the boiling or freezing point of food, auto, or home repair sensitivity.

The infrared thermometer uses a built-in laser to ensure the accuracy of your reading temperature from a distance no matter what you are doing. The infrared thermometer has more uses than just one from home repair to arts and crafts to test for temperature. They are very versatile in their uses, and you will be surprised at how you will able to use the thermometer.


Final Thoughts

The purchase of the ThermoPro Thermometer can help you in your home and your regular life. There are multiple applications for the thermometer, from cooking to automotive maintenance. The best part of having an infrared thermometer is that there is almost nothing you can’t use it for and with.

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